Firefighters are battling a giant fire at a recycling plant in Barking which is affecting 100 tonnes of household rubbish.

River Road is currently closed as six fire engines with 35 firefighters use a cherry picker-like machine to tame the fire and stop it spreading.

The London Fire Brigade was called to the plant in River Road at 1.45pm today, with crews from Barking, Dagenham, Ilford, East Ham and Wennington attending the scene.

Station Manager Paul McClenaghan, speaking at the plant, said: “The fire is affecting around 100 tonnes of household rubbish and our crews are working hard to bring the blaze under control and to stop the fire from spreading.”